Larry
spending too much on rocks
Member since June 2008
Posts: 267
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Post by Larry on Mar 20, 2014 14:21:11 GMT -5
Hello everybody. It has been a long time since I've been active here. I've been swallowed up by a too-busy life and my rock hobby has been put on hold sadly. I do see a lot of familiar names still active here though, which is great.
I am planning a family trip to Oregon around 4/12-4/17. We have a lot of hiking and such planned but no formal dates for anything. I will be with my wife and 7-year-old daughter... and my daughter would love to rockhound for at least part of a day.
Are there any suggestions you would have for this time of year for a family of inexperienced rockhounds (very few tools, not geologists, etc.) where we could at least find something. We don't need museum-grade finds to be happy, but would love to find something more exciting than what we get in upstate NY. I have seen Richardson's, Lucky Strike and Glass Butte mentioned in books.
Are any of these sites ok for what we're looking for? Of course if anybody were going out themselves around that time, company would be fantastic. Thanks in advance for any help or advice. Take care!
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Fossilman
Cave Dweller
Member since January 2009
Posts: 20,709
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Post by Fossilman on Mar 20, 2014 18:34:15 GMT -5
About any place you hit in Oregon would be a great place for hounding,but central Oregon around Madris and Prinville would be great for hiking and rockhounding.... Visit the Sisters too,great hiking area too,with the best scenery!
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Deleted
Deleted Member
Member since January 1970
Posts: 0
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Post by Deleted on Mar 20, 2014 22:10:48 GMT -5
I agree that the swath between Madras and south of Prineville to Glass Buttes offers many opportunities. Richardson's Rock Ranch just northeast of Madras is very easy (so long as it isn't a rainy day), and your 7-year old will have a great time. Great rock shop with a museum section, too. Glass Buttes is fun, right on US 20, and you are sure to find lots of great material, but it is not really near anything (the great metropolis of Hampton Station just to the west has maybe 10 people and a gas station that must only when the owner feels like it – which is never when I'm around).
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Post by roy on Mar 20, 2014 23:37:57 GMT -5
for you kid i would go for the thundereggs!
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Post by Rockoonz on Mar 20, 2014 23:53:40 GMT -5
Richardsons is perfect for families, and they have loaner rock picks for you to use as well.
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quartz
Cave Dweller
breakin' rocks in the hot sun
Member since February 2010
Posts: 3,352
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Post by quartz on Mar 20, 2014 23:57:27 GMT -5
You didn't mention you method of transportation or any confirmed locations, so I'll guess a little and offer a suggestion. If you decide to go to Glass Butte for obsidian, my guess is you might be basing out of Burns [50 mi. east], at least for a little while. If you go to Burns, give thought to going south to the wildlife sanctuary; turn left at Narrows. Straight west of Narrows on the gravel road about 1 1/2 miles out there is an old rock quarry on the hill to the left. We have found some small, but good, pet. wood here. Walking the bottom land in the area, we have found several pieces of an odd agate/mud conglomerate that looks like cow patties, hence our name for it. We cut the stuff in half, and it polishes well. North of Narrows, back toward Burns and on the north side of the lake [if it hasn't dried up], is OO Ranch Road, to the left. This road loops around to come out on Hwy 20 a little East of Riley, a head start to Glass Butte, and a really pleasant drive. rocks2dust said the swath from Madras to Glass Butte offers many opportunities too, very true. Hope you have a great trip.
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Larry
spending too much on rocks
Member since June 2008
Posts: 267
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Post by Larry on Mar 21, 2014 8:30:17 GMT -5
Thanks everybody! We're going to be renting a vehicle. Normally we rent cars but being where we are maybe an suv would be preferred. basically we are going to be driving around a lot.
We're staying in SW Oregon most of the time but then we're going to do a SW Oregon > Crater Lake > Mt. Hood > Portland arc. Looking at a map it looks like the areas mentioned here meet that path pretty well.
Thank you very much for the advice. It is much appreciated!
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Steve
has rocks in the head
Member since June 2005
Posts: 506
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Post by Steve on Mar 21, 2014 12:17:52 GMT -5
Richardson's Ranch is great for kids (and adults). I'd avoid Glass Butte with a rental car and 7 year old. Obsidian can be sharp and the roads there are literally made of obsidian. After you get out of the National Park when visiting Crater Lake pull over and collect a bit of pumice (assuming you went north) - always fun to play with. Also you can carve the pumice with a pocket knife.
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quartz
Cave Dweller
breakin' rocks in the hot sun
Member since February 2010
Posts: 3,352
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Post by quartz on Mar 21, 2014 12:31:47 GMT -5
Two museums well worth the time: www.CraterRock.com This is in Central Point between Medford and Grants Pass right off I-5. www.ricenwmuseum.org A world class must-see about 15 miles w. of Portland right off hwy. 26 toward the coast.
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Deleted
Deleted Member
Member since January 1970
Posts: 0
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Post by Deleted on Mar 21, 2014 13:47:31 GMT -5
If you decide on a stop at Richardson's, PM me and I may be able to figure an excuse to go along with you.
If you will only be in the I5 corridor, then the 2 museums quartz mentioned are great stops (they both have shops, but nothing to dig). I'm not sure much will be open at Crater Lake (no driving to the lake), even with the lack of snow this winter, but yes, the area outside of the park is covered with fun pumice that kids find fascinating. I think access to much of Newberry National Monument north of Crater Lake will also likely be limited until Memorial Day or after (great places to visit, but no collecting allowed at either place). Lucky Strike that you mentioned (north of Prineville) will also likely not open until later in the year.
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Post by Rockoonz on Mar 21, 2014 15:36:59 GMT -5
Richardson's Ranch is great for kids (and adults). I'd avoid Glass Butte with a rental car and 7 year old. Obsidian can be sharp and the roads there are literally made of obsidian. After you get out of the National Park when visiting Crater Lake pull over and collect a bit of pumice (assuming you went north) - always fun to play with. Also you can carve the pumice with a pocket knife. Had some freinds out to glass buttes a few years back. 2 flats on brand new tires with one spare sucks.
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aimeesrockworks
spending too much on rocks
I really do look like my avatar... it kinda freaks me out.
Member since December 2010
Posts: 458
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Post by aimeesrockworks on Mar 22, 2014 0:52:28 GMT -5
I'm going to toss in another vote for Richardson's. Even if you don't dig (it was closed the day we were there), it's one of the nicest rock shops I've ever seen. Although I haven't seen a ton... it was ton of fun!
I spent way too long digging through the piles off to the side of the main shop. Waaay too long.
Oh, and while you're in Bend, hit Goodies for Egg Cream's and Phosphates (because kids need A LOT of sugar to be proper rockhounds).
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Larry
spending too much on rocks
Member since June 2008
Posts: 267
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Post by Larry on Mar 22, 2014 13:14:37 GMT -5
Thanks again for all the tips and info! I think we will definitely hit Richardson's and just do some quick side-trips along the way anyplace that seems interesting. Rocks2dust I'll send you a pm when I know a date and see if you feel like heading to Richardson's. I'm pretty sure it will be in the range of April 15-17 for that part of the trip.
Thanks a bunch everybody! This is such a great community. I sure have missed this place and should stay active here even though my hobbies cannot be with rocks at the moment. Take care!
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quartz
Cave Dweller
breakin' rocks in the hot sun
Member since February 2010
Posts: 3,352
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Post by quartz on Mar 23, 2014 23:10:12 GMT -5
Another place to look into is the High Desert Museum a little south of Bend. Very interesting and educational for the whole family.
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owyhee
starting to spend too much on rocks
Member since March 2014
Posts: 105
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Post by owyhee on Mar 30, 2014 14:28:13 GMT -5
I like Lucky Strike mine. It can be hit and miss that it will be open. Last time I went there they were pulling out very nice eggs some were 10+ lbs. Kop and Cindy are great people to meet. Kop also sells Blue Mt. rough, not sure if he is still around because he is about 95 years old. Last year he was still mining. His stories are amazing,I could talk to him forever.
Mark Jackson Idaho
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